Former Major League Baseball star Yasiel Puig has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy as he faces a potential 15-year prison sentence following his conviction for obstructing justice and lying to federal officials.
Venezuela’s outfielder Yasiel Puig is tagged out at home plate during the Caribbean Series in Miami, Florida, in February 2024. (Image: CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images)Puig’s petition was filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida on July 2. The Chapter 11 filing follows years of worsening financial strain; federal prosecutors previously revealed that Puig had racked up an unpaid $1 million debt to the illegal gambling operation alone.
Chapter 11 Filing
According to Spotrac, Puig earned roughly $52 million in salary during a seven-year MLB career that began in 2013. He spent six of those seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers before playing for both the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians in 2019.
Despite those massive career earnings, his financial situation deteriorated alongside growing legal troubles; federal prosecutors allege Puig repeatedly lied to investigators in 2022 when questioned about his relationship with bookmakers connected to an illegal sports betting ring active during that 2019 season.
Illegal Betting Allegations
The government also charged Puig with making false statements during his U.S. naturalization process. Prosecutors said the Cuban-born outfielder falsely stated on 2019 immigration paperwork that he had never participated in illegal gambling or received income from illegal gambling.
Puig initially agreed in August 2022 to plead guilty to one count of making false statements to federal investigators under an agreement that would have resolved the case. He later withdrew from the plea deal, saying he wanted to clear his name. Federal prosecutors subsequently secured an indictment in January 2023.
Trial Evidence Detailed
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, evidence presented during Puig’s 13-day trial in February showed he began placing bets through an illegal gambling operation run by Wayne Nix in May 2019.
Prosecutors said Puig wagered through a third party and had accumulated $282,900 in gambling losses by the following month.
Prosecutors said Puig later paid $200,000 toward that debt before regaining access to Nix’s betting websites. Between July 4 and Sept. 29, 2019, they alleged Puig placed 899 additional wagers on tennis, football and basketball games – not baseball – including some before and after MLB games at ballparks.
During that period, prosecutors said, he accumulated nearly $1 million in additional unpaid gambling debt.
From MLB To Canada
Over his career, Puig hit .277 with 132 home runs, 415 RBIs, and an .823 OPS across 861 MLB games. Following his time in the majors, he signed with professional clubs in Mexico, South Korea, Venezuela, and the Dominican Republic.
Now 35, Puig is playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the Canadian Baseball League, where he has maintained a blistering .391 average with eight home runs and 20 RBIs through 20 games.
However, his resurgent baseball season remains heavily overshadowed by his ongoing legal battle. After being found guilty in February, Puig’s sentencing—originally slated for May 26—was pushed back following a defense motion for acquittal.
According to a sentencing memorandum filed by federal authorities in May, prosecutors are seeking an 18-month prison sentence, three years’ probation, and a $55,000 fine.
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